Ghosts of The Ocean London Dry comes from the Azores. The brand donates one euro from each bottle sold to the Ocean Azores Foundation, which supports marine conservation in the archipelago. Distilled in Portugal and bottled at 40% ABV, the London Dry wears a pale blue livery drawn from the sea. The distillery sources most of its botanicals locally, a tangible connection to the islands beyond the marine imagery on the bottle.

Juniper, rosemary, thyme, cardamom, lemon and lime shape this London Dry. The citrus keeps the first impression lively; rosemary and thyme then bring a fresh herbal note, with cardamom adding a little warmth. The result is dry and citrus-led, with enough juniper to hold its shape in a gin and tonic.

Juniper gives the first dry note. Lemon is broad and aromatic, lime sharper and more incisive, and rosemary and thyme bring the scent of fresh herbs, with cardamom adding a little warmth behind the citrus. The palate is crisp rather than fruity, and the herbal line runs into the finish. A small taste neat makes the juniper and cardamom clearer; with tonic, lemon and thyme move forward and the dry base stays put.

Serve it over generous ice with a chilled, lightly flavoured tonic, a small lemon twist and a short thyme sprig among the cubes. Do not crush the thyme, since an intact sprig perfumes the glass and a bruised one turns bitter. Lemon underlines the gin's own citrus without hiding the lime or the cardamom, so keep the mixer light and the garnish modest. As the ice melts, the thyme becomes more noticeable and the citrus softens.